Governor attends KILR’s 50th

August 8, 2018

The Estherville community showed its support for KILR's 50th anniversary celebration Tuesday afternoon by showing up to the radio station's party.

Fittingly, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds attended the event, as the station, was begun by former Iowa Governor Robert D. Ray and local attorney Daniel Sanderson. KILR AM 1070 began broadcasting in 1968 and one year later KILR FM was added.

Current owners Roger and Barbara Jacobson purchased the stations in 1982.

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"I am so pleased to be here to celebrate 50 years. That is amazing. That is wonderful," said Reynolds.

Reynolds talked about how she was influenced by the late Governor Robert Ray.

"He was a tremendous mentor and set an unbelievable bar for all who followed him," Reynolds said. "He was always encouraging and he always used to say, 'Kim, I love your energy.'"

Station employees presented a plaque to the Jacobsons congratulating them on 36 years of owning and operating the KILR stations.

"It is about people. Somebody a along time ago said, 'If you want to look good surround yourself with good people and smart people.' It really is the key," said Jacobson.

The celebration included live and recorded interviews with many former KILR employees.

A meal was served with Emmet County Cattlemen grilling. All the money collected for the supper will be given to the Estherville Fire Department, Emmet County Sheriff's Department and the Estherville Police Department.